Thirteen-year-old Christopher Blackmer of Fruitport, Mich., was named the 2016 American Motorcyclist Association Youth Ice Racer of the Year at the AMA Ice Race Grand Championship on Feb. 27 at Mitchell State Park in Cadillac, Mich.

Thirteen-year-old Christopher Blackmer of Fruitport, Mich., was named the 2016 American Motorcyclist Association Youth Ice Racer of the Year at the AMA Ice Race Grand Championship on Feb. 27 at Mitchell State Park in Cadillac, Mich.

Blackmer also was the 2014 AMA Youth Ice Racer of the Year.

"It means a lot to me, because all the hard work I put in came out so well," Blackmer said. "This is my second time getting the award. I got it two years ago. I'm proud of myself, because I've been working hard."

Blackmer says he started riding dirt bikes when he was just 3. He said that, when he was 5, he tried flat track. Then, he started motocross and ice racing at 6. He has raced the AMA Ice Race Grand Championship for several years.

This year, Blackmer captured the 85 modified, ages 12 to 15, and 85 modified, ages 9 to 13, national championships on his Yamaha 85.

"I like going fast [on the ice]," Blackmer said. "I'm looking forward to doing a little flat tracking this year, and trying to go to Loretta Lynn's [the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship] for my fourth time. I'm also looking forward to coming back to the AMA Ice Race Grand Championship next year to get another title."

AMA Track Racing Manager Ken Saillant said that, as the previous AMA Youth Ice Racer of the Year winner in 2014, Blackmer knew what it took to be fast, smooth and consistent in some very difficult conditions.

"Christopher's two class wins this year prove that he has what it takes to be an AMA national champion," Saillant said.

Unfortunately, the second day of competition, scheduled for Feb. 28, was canceled due to unsafe ice conditions. As a result of the shortened program, some national championships and the other special awards could not be awarded.